The national umbrella body of veteran unionists and young professionals under the auspices of Congress of Nigeria Youth Leaders (CONYL) has conferred the “Good Ambassador of Renewed Hope” award on Hon. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), in recognition of his outstanding and transformative leadership in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The award, which celebrates visionary public servants who embody the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda, was awarded to Hon. Adebayo in recognition of his unprecedented achievements at NALDA, which have significantly repositioned the agency as a key driver of agricultural development, youth empowerment, and food security in Nigeria.
The Congress affirmed that since assuming office as the CEO of NALDA, Hon. Adebayo has implemented a series of innovative, inclusive, and high-impact programmes that have reshaped Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, among which are:
- Expansion of Integrated Farm Estates Nationwide
Under his stewardship, NALDA has rapidly scaled the establishment of Integrated Farm Estates across all six geopolitical zones. These estates, equipped with modern agricultural facilities and residential quarters, serve as self-sustaining agro-communities that empower thousands of youths and women with direct access to land, inputs, training, and market linkages. - Youth-Focused Agricultural Empowerment
In alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Hon. Adebayo has led the charge to equip and empower over 50,000 Nigerian youths through tailored agricultural skills development, mechanization support, and access to funding. The “Young Farmers’ Initiative” under NALDA has become a model of youth engagement in agribusiness across Africa. - Boosting National Food Security
NALDA has also recorded a remarkable increase in local food production by reclaiming over 200,000 hectares of idle and underutilized land across the country for mechanized farming. This initiative alone has significantly contributed to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on food imports and stabilizing food prices. - Soil and Fertility Mapping
In an innovative move, Hon. Adebayo spearheaded the introduction of Soil Testing and Fertility Mapping services to farmers at the grassroots level, enhancing productivity and ensuring environmentally sustainable farming practices. - Rural Economy Revitalization
Through targeted interventions in rural areas, including the provision of solar-powered boreholes, rural road access to farms, and input subsidies, NALDA has transformed several rural communities into active hubs of agricultural commerce and development.
In a press statement released to the Media on Monday, 16th June, 2025, the National President of CONYL, Comrade Yinka Ayeni Dallas, stated that “Hon. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo represents the true spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda. His passion, integrity, and relentless drive to empower the Nigerian youth through agriculture are truly commendable. His work at NALDA is not just reformative—it is revolutionary.”
He further called on other public officers to emulate Hon. Adebayo’s transparent leadership style and results-oriented approach. “As NALDA continues to roll out groundbreaking initiatives, the leadership of Hon. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo stands as a shining example of purposeful governance, youth-focused development, and renewed national hope”, his statement concluded.
